My views on regulating the tuition industry
Jane Higgins BA(Ed) Hons (QTS)
There has been a lot of discussion recently about the tuition industry and the fact that it is completely unregulated, so I wanted to follow the lead of some other tutors I follow and respect on social media and give a brief outline of my experience and qualifications.
Before starting my 3-year degree in Education at Goldsmiths College, University of London, I worked as a playworker, a youth worker, and a Learning Support Assistant. It was this work that cemented my desire to become a qualified teacher. During my ongoing training and each day as I worked with the children, I learned about how dyslexia, dyspraxia and ataxia can affect how children learn, and, more importantly, a range of strategies to support them. I worked alongside experienced and highly motivated teachers, who shared their knowledge and best practices with me each day as I supported the students in their classes.
I studied at Goldsmiths from 2000 to 2003. At that time, it was a full-time 4-year degree that was taught in three years. It was very intense, with lectures and seminars all day, every day, followed by independent study. The education department was second to none with renowned tutors and lecturers who always encouraged us to learn more, do more, and be more. Learning to teach in South London, where the challenges of poverty, discrimination, addiction, mental illness, and special educational needs, and being a refugee and a host of other social issues were at the forefront of our practice, was a fantastic opportunity. Learning about the child's developmental, psychological, and pedagogical needs in terms of teaching and learning was invaluable.
After graduating, I continued to teach in South London schools for 12 years. It was only my own ill health that forced me to leave.
I have written elsewhere about my journey as a mum of a child with additional needs. This part of my journey prepared me more than I knew to teach and support other families with similar difficulties with the system. As a self-employed tutor, I engage in regular continued professional development (CPD). I have a DBS and am registered with the update service. I undertake yearly safeguarding training with recognised bodies, just as I would if I were at school. I have regular CPD relating to the needs of the children I teach, including but not limited to training about the latest developments in Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and PTSD.
I have undertaken training in trauma-informed practice and the NEU’s Anti-Racism Framework. I use online learning platforms with my students, which have evidence of proven effectiveness for my learners. I ensure I am properly trained in using these, such as Word Shark and Touch Type Read Spell. I hold a First Aid certificate and am currently studying to become a Mental Health First Aider. I have also received training on ways to support parents, including a Level 1 NVR (Non-Violent Resistance) Parenting Support course.
I have a robust safeguarding policy and am a member of the local Safeguarding Children Partnership. I have other policies expected from schools or childcare providers, such as GDPR, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and a Special Educational Needs, Neurodivergence and Disability policy. All of these are active working policies which are updated regularly.
I remain a member of the National Education Union (NEU) and keep up to date with education issues through them, as well as by reading The Times Educational Supplement (TES) and School Week.
My thoughts on regulating the tuition industry are not straightforward. Everyone who works with children and vulnerable individuals should have a DBS, but this is not always the case, and parents do not typically request to see this. Not all tutors must be qualified. Unqualified teachers are increasingly being used in schools. Having non-specialists in the private sector can make tuition more affordable for a wider range of people. Additionally, tutors often possess a wealth of hands-on and recent experience in their area of expertise, which is best delivered by experts, such as musicians or those in STEM fields.
A register of tutors may be a positive way forward. One that states their qualifications and experience. It would be beneficial for all tutors to have access to training on safeguarding, child development, and pedagogy as applicable. Such training is currently available from The Tutors Association (TTA) and other agencies.
